Atiku, ADC Condemn Tinubu’s Presidential Pardons as Threat to Justice, Anti-Drug Fight

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticized the recent presidential pardons granted by President Bola Tinubu, calling the move a direct assault on Nigeria’s justice system and a dangerous encouragement of criminal behavior.

In a statement he personally signed, Atiku expressed outrage over the clemency granted to individuals convicted of serious offences such as drug trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and corruption, arguing it undermines the rule of law and tarnishes Nigeria’s global image.

“Presidential pardon is meant to reflect mercy and moral responsibility. Instead, this particular exercise mocks our criminal justice system and damages public trust,” Atiku stated.

He noted that nearly 30% of those pardoned were drug offenders, at a time when Nigeria is battling a surge in drug abuse and struggling to shed its international reputation as a hub for narcotics.

Atiku further questioned the moral standing of the government, highlighting unresolved issues surrounding President Tinubu’s past, particularly his alleged links to a drug-related forfeiture case in the United States.

“A government that claims to be fighting criminality cannot absolve those convicted of the very crimes it condemns. This act erodes moral authority and emboldens lawlessness,” he added.

ADC: Presidential Pardons a National Disgrace

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) also issued a strong condemnation, describing the pardons as a “pathetic and disgraceful abuse” of presidential power.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it was alarming that dozens of convicts, many serving sentences for drug trafficking and smuggling, were pardoned after serving only a short time behind bars.

“Granting clemency to drug traffickers and smugglers who have barely served two years for crimes carrying life sentences is not mercy — it's a gross injustice,” Abdullahi stated.

The party emphasized that the decision undermines the efforts of the NDLEA and other security agencies who risk their lives daily to combat drug trafficking and protect public health.

The ADC warned that the move not only weakens domestic enforcement efforts but also damages Nigeria’s reputation internationally, potentially making it a soft target for global drug cartels.

“These pardons suggest that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, is sympathetic to drug dealers and is not serious about tackling the narcotics crisis,” the statement read.

The party concluded by calling for accountability and urging Nigerians to reject what it described as the ruling party’s dangerous drift towards impunity and moral decay.

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